Ageism is a form of bias based on age and unfortunately the elderly often bear the brunt of this prejudice. Unfortunately, some people assume the elderly get easily lost or confused and this bias can be very dangerous in a nursing home setting. In some cases, it can even be used to hide Hollywood nursing home abuse and negligence.
Ageism and bias can show up in many ways:
When nursing home abuse occurs in Hollywood or Florida and affects your family, of course your first worry is the safety and well-being of your loved one. However, at this difficult time, it is also important to consider the financial impact of the abuse, since you will need financial resources to truly help your family member.
The cost of nursing home abuse may be much higher than many people think. Nursing home abuse costs can include:
Nursing homes in Hollywood and the rest of Florida are expected to provide quality nutrition as well as a safe environment for residents. Food is an important part of a senior’s well-being, especially since nutritious food can help them thrive the most.
Unfortunately, food poisoning can occur in nursing homes and does happen. Some nursing homes try to save on food costs by purchasing discounted foods and may end up purchasing expired items. In other cases, incorrect staff training, poor maintenance of kitchen areas, or high staff turnover can contribute to poor food handling or food storage, which can lead to food poisoning.
Nursing homes often contain hundreds of residents, and unfortunately this requires careful attention and precaution to prevent outbreaks. When contagions allowed to spread in nursing homes, fatalities can result. Outbreaks in nursing homes of norovirus, the flu, and other communicable diseases can take the lives of patients and can affect staff safety.
There are many things that nursing homes can do to prevent outbreaks:
Nursing homes in Hollywood are supposed to be safe places for those who cannot care for themselves. Unfortunately, abuse and injuries can occur in these environments and while the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and other agencies are supposed to keep an eye out for violence and dangerous conditions in South Florida nursing homes, abuse and neglect can happen.
Violence is one type of situation which can lead to injuries and even fatalities in nursing homes. Violence in nursing homes can stem from many situations, including:
As people age, the ability of the body to heal itself becomes less robust. At the same time, elderly people with pre-existing conditions or conditions which limit mobility may be more prone to wounds. For these reasons, it is doubly important for nursing homes to take precautions to treat wounds correctly, to prevent serious complications. When nursing home abuse and neglect occur in Hollywood and other parts of Florida, improper wound care can lead to infections, sepsis, and even fatalities.
Understanding Wounds Sustained by Elderly Residents
Nursing home residents often live in care environments because they need extra help with everyday tasks and often need more assistance than in-house help or a family can offer. Mobility issues, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions can make seniors more prone to wandering and falls. Aging and conditions such as osteoporosis can mean a greater susceptibility to fractures and bone breaks. If combined with a living situation which includes nursing home negligence or abuse, Hollywood or South Florida residents can be at great risk.
Why Falls and Fractures Happen
Falls and fractures can occur for any number of reasons in a nursing home. Elderly residents may become disoriented or may have vision or mobility issues which affect balance and movement. In many cases, understaffing can mean residents do not have the support and supervision needed when they attempt to get out of bed or when they walk around.
Nursing homes need to be safe environments. Sometimes, residents of these homes have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or mental illnesses which can make them behave erratically. In some cases, they may lash out or act of violence. In addition, nursing homes are open environments to other people may enter the home and this it is incumbent upon nursing homes to maintain a safe environment for residents, staff and visitors.
There are many ways that nursing homes can maintain adequate security. These include:
Amputations are devastating for elderly patients of nursing homes. Amputations often result in significant emotional distress, anxiety, trauma and depression. In addition, amputations can lead to significantly reduced mobility and loss of quality of life.
In many cases, amputations on elderly residents are preventable with proper diabetic care, proper safety precautions and proper care. Very often, amputations are a last resort for doctors who are trying to save a patient’s life. For elderly residents of nursing homes, amputations can occur due to neglected bedsores, untreated or unmanaged diabetes, and other instances of negligence.
Nursing home head injuries can happen for a number of reasons. They can occur due to physical injuries caused by abuse or by bedrail injuries or slip and fall accidents. Unfortunately, when an elderly patient hits their head while falling, it can lead to serious and permanent injuries. In some cases, head injuries can be life-threatening, especially if the patient is not taken for a full evaluation immediately.
If it family member in a nursing home has suffered a head injury due to a fall, you deserve answers. If negligence led to the injury, you may have a right to seek compensation to help pay for your family member’s care, support and a move to a new facility.
Florida Injury Lawyer Blog